NAHARLAGUN, March 23: Arunachal Pradesh Minister of State for Home Rima disclosed that extortions and kidnapping of Arunachalis by militants from neighboring states- especially led by both the factions of National Socialist Council of Nagaland has assumed an alarming proportions in the recent past.??Serving extortion notice and kidnapping our people by NSCN and NDFB militants of Assam and Nagaland in the recent pass has become a matter of great concern for us,? Rima said. ?The home minister was responding to a Zero Hour notice raised by Takar Marde of Congress (I) in the last day of ensuing...

GUWAHATI, March 23 ? The 12th Assam Valley Literary Award was presented today to noted litterateur Rebati Mohan Dutta Choudhury, more popularly known as Sheelabhadra, his pen name, to his readers, for his contribution to the field of literature. The Award was presented to Sri Dutta Choudhury at a glittering function at the Rabindra Bhawan here by noted Oriya litterateur and president of the Sahitya Akademi Ramakanta Rath. Accepting the Award, Sri Dutta Choudhury observed that awards, however, do not signify excellence. Recognitions from the wise is the primary thing. But, he said that he was...

GUWAHATI, March 23 ? A fuming Promila Rani Brahma, the senior Bodoland Legislature Party (BDLP) MLA today resigned from the post of leader of the party in the State Assembly protesting the role played by the ABSU-supported member of Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC) in the election to CEM post on March 19 last. The move of Smt Brahma is construed to be potent enough to jeopardise the recent effort of opposition AGP, BJP, ASDC and BDLP to forge a workable alliance in the State Assembly.

Imphal, March 23: Forsaking all promises of a small ministry, chief minister Okram Ibobi today inducted thirteen more ministers swelling the size of his ministry to 34. Twelve of those inducted were sworn in this afternoon; the thirteenth, K Ranjit, was absent. The chief minister has said the huge size of the ministry was due to pressures exerted from other constituent units of the Secular Progressive Front (SPF). However a prominent cabinet minister defended Ibobi and asserted that the first priority of the chief minister was to keep the government intact. As anticipated, W Leima went...

Imphal, March 23: A fear psychosis has gripped the residents of Khabam Lamkhai, Matai and Luwangsabam areas following intensified follow up activities taken up by the 12 Assam Rifles in the wake of the bomb blast which claimed the life of one AR personnel. Witnesses told reporters the AR personnels ransacked shops in the vicinity of Khabam Lamkhai bazar and ordered owners to down their shutters. Only some womenfolk were sighted in the area. The youths who were the main target of the securitymen?s wrath have reportedly shifted to safer places. DIG Khaute, IG Baral and SPs of Imphal east and...